Tennessee: White Police Officer Dies in Crash While Pursuing Fat Gorilla

Nobody ever said animal control was an easy job.

These young cops know what they’re signing up for.

WZTV:

A Hendersonville Police officer was killed Monday night after being hit by a vehicle while chasing a suspect across I-65, investigators confirmed.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol identified the deceased officer as 31-year-old Hendersonville Police Officer Spencer Bristol. He leaves behind his wife, Lauren, their 3-year-old daughter, and his parents.

Troopers were alerted to a crash at 7:45 p.m. that happened on I-65 southbound by the Vietnam Vets Pkwy. entrance ramp at mile marker 95 near Rivergate Mall. The crash followed a chase that started in Hendersonville and weaved into the Goodlettsville area.

Officer Bristol was in pursuit of a vehicle being driven by 19-year-old Kevin Jordan. The teen was taken into custody shortly after the vehicle crashed. Officials say a passenger in the vehicle ran away from the scene and remains at large.

Kevin Jordan.

That’s when the THP says Officer Bristol chased the passenger across I-65 southbound and was hit by incoming traffic. The woman that hit the officer pulled over and seems “distraught” by what happened, troopers tell FOX 17 News. Officer Bristol was immediately rushed to Skyline Medical Center, where he passed away.

Hendersonville Police said multiple law enforcement agencies came together to help them as the investigation unfolded.

The police department is still in talks with District Attorney Ray Whitley, but announced that Jordan faces charges of felony evading, reckless endangerment and other traffic related offenses.

Spencer Bristol.